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Top 10 tips to protect your debit or credit card from being hacked?

Protecting your debit card or credit cards from being hacked can be daunting. However, following a few security and privacy best practices can ensure you don’t become the victim of cyberfraud. Keeping your PINs and security codes safe – and not sharing them with anyone – is the foundation for protecting your financial data from malicious hackers.

Upgrading to EMV-chip security on your credit cards offers an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access, while only making purchases on reliable websites that encrypt information helps minimize the risks posed by online shopping scams. Finally, tracking your card transactions regularly will alert you to any suspicious activity right away, allowing you to report it to your bank before further damage is done.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your debit card from being hacked:

1. Use a strong and unique PIN: Avoid using easily guessable PINs such as your birthday or the last four digits of your phone number. Instead, use a long and complex PIN that is unique to your debit card.
2. Avoid using your debit or credit card on public or unsecured WiFi networks: Hackers can easily intercept data transmitted over public WiFi networks, so it is best to avoid using your debit card on these networks. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to make online purchases or access sensitive information, as these networks are often unsecured and can be easily hacked. Instead, use a secure, encrypted network.
3. Be cautious when entering your PIN: Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN at an ATM or point-of-sale terminal to prevent anyone from seeing your PIN.
4. Use a mobile payment service: Mobile payment services, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, use a technology called “tokenization” to protect your card information. With tokenization, a unique code is generated for each transaction instead of using your actual card information.
5. Monitor your account regularly: Keep an eye on your account activity and report any unauthorized transactions to your bank as soon as possible.
6. Use a credit card instead of a debit card: Credit cards offer more protection against fraud than debit cards because you are not using your own money when you make a purchase. If your credit card is compromised, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company and the money will be returned to your account. With a debit card, the money is taken directly from your bank account and may be harder to recover.
7. Use secure websites: When shopping online, make sure to only use secure websites that have “https” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar. This indicates that the website is encrypted and your information will be protected.
8. Use strong and unique passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts and regularly change them to prevent them from being hacked. Avoid using easily guessable passwords, such as “123456” or your name.
9. Enable two-factor authentication: Many online accounts offer two-factor authentication, which requires you to enter a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password to log in. This adds an extra layer of security to your account.
10. Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to your bank or credit card company immediately.

By following these steps, you can protect your debit or credit card from being hacked and reduce the risk of fraudulent charges.

To conclude:

When it comes to security and privacy, your debit or credit card should not be taken lightly. To protect against cyber security risks, it’s important to secure your PIN, avoid publicly sharing personal information, use trusted merchants for online purchases, update security features regularly, and stay abreast of emerging fraud safety practices. It never hurts to double check with your bank or credit provider for their recommendations on the latest security best practices. After all, when it comes to our financial security and safeguarding our cards from being hacked, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

References:

1- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card_fraud